Lauren Kennedy // Cinch Agency

Lauren has recently stepped back from what she says -feels like a lifetime- in Entertainment Marketing, and has started her own marketing business – Cinch Agency. She caters to small to medium businesses. At a high level she can offer marketing strategy and consulting, to branding, social media management, paid advertising, SEO and copywriting.

 

Community and Background

Can you tell us a bit about your journey to the Coledale community? How did you end up here and what attracted you to this community?

After having my second child, I was really considering if returning to work at the end of my maternity leave was the right move. Whilst my corporate role allowed a lot of flexibility to work from home most days, I really found it tough to focus at home with endless jobs and a toddler bursting in on Zoom calls. My friend suggested I check out WorkLife, which despite being just down the road wasn’t something I ever considered. As soon as I checked out the space, I knew it was my ticket to finding balance and being able to get back to work.

Business and Entrepreneurship

Tell us about your work. How and when did you decide to start it, and what motivated you to take the plunge into entrepreneurship or remote work?

I’ve always worked in Film and Television marketing and whilst its a sparkly industry, it really wasn’t fulfilling me anymore. There was a pull for change, but I was also comfortable and scared to make any big changes with a new baby. I actually signed up for What She Did Next (a fantastic career course run by fellow WorkLifer, Jacqui Ooi) which ended up being the catalyst for me to take action. I handed in my resignation, and over the past month or so I’ve started my own marketing business. I’m in the final days of my corporate role, and also getting prepped to travel Oz with my young family in our caravan for 6 months. I’ll stop short at saying life is busy right now…

What does work-life balance look like for you? How do you manage the demands of work while ensuring time for family and personal life?

Honestly having a dedicated space away from home to work has been the biggest gift to my work-life balance. Having the office at home, I always found it difficult to unplug and would find myself just jumping back online because it was easy. I now shut my laptop when I leave WorkLife and mostly don’t open it again until I’m there the next day. I’m so much more present with my little ones of an evening, and have zero pull to open my laptop when they go to bed.

Personal Life

Outside of work, what are your hobbies and passions? How do you like to spend your time when you’re not focused on business or family?

I love being out in nature. My dad worked for National Parks so I grew up in the outdoors and that’s something I’ve carried on with my own family. You’ll find me at the beach, visiting family in Jamberoo, or doing a hike most weekends. I chased many snow seasons around the globe in my younger years, so snowboarding is a long lost hobby that I’d like to get back to in the years to come!

What do you like/appreciate about the design at WorkLife? Any favourite touches or things that make you feel at home when you are at work?

Random, but love the mugs haha. Every time I take a mug to Earthwalker, the barista will comment on how cool it is. I also appreciate the yummy snacks. I would say I’m #1 snack consumer at WorkLife Coledale…

If you were to showcase the best of the local lifestyle to visiting friends, where would you take them and why?

Probably a delicious breakfast and coffee at Moore St General, followed by a swim down at ‘The Crack’ at Little Austi beach – that’s such a perfect slice of of the coastline when the sun is shining.

Productivity and Time Management

What’s your go-to productivity hack? How do you stay organised and efficient, especially with multiple responsibilities?

My savvy Marketing Coordinator introduced me to Monday.com earlier in the year and its completely transformed my to-do list, and taken the pressure of my memory to know where everything is at. It takes a little bit to get set up and get used to, but highly recommend when you’ve got lots of balls in the air.

Benefits of WorkLife Membership

Lastly, what’s been the most valuable aspect of being a member at WorkLife for you and your work?

It’s really unlocked a sense of community for me, and connected me with so many awesome and inspiring people from the local area who are genuinely all lifting each other up.

Here at WorkLife we are so incredibly excited for Lauren and her new business Cinch Agency. If you are looking for superior marketing advice and skills then hop online and get in touch with Lauren at cinch.